My starting premise is that trade, with minor variation, must over time balance, and money must eventually return to the place of origin for exported products.
This is the untold story of the war, and I believe this map methodology makes it clearer what was occurring in terms of potential money lost to the North, and *that* makes it clearer as to why they were so intent on stopping Southern Independence.
You will remember that refusing to allow Independence was the one non-negotiable demand of the Union.
There was big money on the line, and *that* was why they could not allow the South to become independent.
Do you really think Africa is going to become rich from China stripmining the shit out of all their minerals and ores? LOL.